Spoke-finishing machine.



No. 719,769. r V PATBNTED FEB.3,1903.

G. A. ENSIGN.

SPOKE FINISHING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED OOT.4, 1902.

N0 MODEL. 4 SHEETS-SHEET l.

No. 719,769. PATENTBD FEB. a, 1903.

G. A. ENSIGN. SPOKE FINISHING MACHINE.

APPLIOATION FILED OGTA, 1902. I

N0 MODEL. 7 4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

l/VVENTOR W/TNESS S.

No. 719,769. PATBNTED FEB. s, 1903. G. A. ENSIGN.

SPOKE FINISHING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED OGT.4, 1902;

WITNESSES: 11v VENTOH I I 6'80 6 a? w I I I W "m5 "cams PETERS co, Pnmmnuu VJASHNKBTON. u c

No. 719,769. PATENTED FEB. 3, 1903.

G. A. ENSIGN. SPOKE FINISHING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED 0GT.4, 1902.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

N0 MODEL.

THE mamas Par-ms no, rmnTo-ummwnsmma'ronv n c,

UNITED v STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE A. ENSIGN, OF DEFIANOE, OHIO, ASSIGNOR'TO DEFIANOE MACHINE WORKS, OF DEFIANOE, OHIO.

SPOKE-FINISHING MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 719,769, dated February 3, 1903.

Application filed October 4,1902. Serial No. 125,966. {No modelfl To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE A. ENSIGN, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Defiance, in the county of Defiance and State of Ohio, have invented a new and Improved Spoke-Finishing Machine, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

The invention relates to woodworking machinery, and more particularly to spoke-finishing machines, such as shown and described in the Letters Patent ofthe United States No. 679,611, granted to me July 30, 1901.

The object of the present invention is to provide certain new and useful improvements in spoke-finishing machines whereby ordinary wagon-spokes or Sarven spokes can be accurately and uniformly finished at the throat, it requiring only an unskilled workman to attend the maohinethat is, to remove the finished spokes and to place unfinished spokes in the automatically-turning spoke-holder.

The invention consists of novel features and parts and combinations of the same, as will be more fully described hereinafter and then pointed out in the claims.

A practical embodiment of the invention is represented in the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, in which similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the views.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the improvement as arranged for finishing the throats of ordinary wagon-spokes. an end elevation of the same. Fig. 3 is a plan view of the same. Fig. 4: is an enlarged sectional front elevation of the tenon-socket end of the spoke-holder and the driving-gear for the tenon-sockets. Fig. 5 is an enlarged transverse section of the spoke-holder and the locking and releasing device for the same, the section being on the line 5 5 of Fig. 3. Fig. 6 is a front elevation of a finished spoke of the Sarven type. Fig. 7 is a like view of an ordinary wagon-spoke. Fig. 8 is an enlarged cross-section of a Sarvenspoke, the section being on the line 8 8 of Fig. 6; and Fig. 9 is a similar view of a wagon-spoke on the line 9 9 of Fig. 7.

In my present invention a spokeholder A is arranged to carryand rotate a plurality of Fig. 2 is spokes B, to swing transversely toward and from a sand-band O or other finishing means, to slide bodily in a longitudinal direction for engaging a revolving spoke with the sandband for a certain length, to finish the throat of a spoke, and to turn periodically to automatically bring an unfinished spoke in position for treatment by the traveling sand-band C, the arrangement being such that the only manual labor required by the attendantis the removal of a finished spoke from and the insertion of an unfinished spoke into the spoke holder.

The spoke-holder A, as shown, is preferably provided with sets of tenon-sockets A and butt-sockets A for supporting at one time a spoke to be finished by the sand-band O, a finished spoke for removal by the attendant, and an unfinished spoke for subsequent treatment by the sand-band C. The spoke-holder A is mounted to turn and to slide bodily with a revoluble and slidable shaft E, disposed horizontally and carrying at its left-hand end a pattern F, abutting against a stop F", the said left-hand end of the shaft being mounted to turn in a bearing G, mounted to slide in the direction of the shaft E in guideways I-I, held on a plate H, mounted to swing on the top of a bed-head I, mounted on the bed I of the machine. The plate H is fulcru med on a vertical shaft E, journaled in a bearing 1 on the bed-head I, (see Fig. 1,) and said shaft E carries at its upper end a bevel friction-wheel E in mesh with a similar bevel friction-wheel E having its hub mounted to turn in a bearing G, secured to the right-hand end of the plate H. The right-hand end of the shaft E is mounted to slide in and to turn with the bevel friction-wheel E so that the shaft E is turned when the shaft E is rotated, and at the same time the shaft E is free to slide in the direction of its length to shift the spokeholder A and the spokes B carried thereon correspondingly and also permit the plate H to swing transversely on the top of the bedhead 1, according to the movement given to the bearing G and said plate H by the revolving pattern F, abutting against the stop F, it being understood that a spring H (see Figs. 2 and 3) polls on the plate H and holds the pattern F against the stop F.

A synchronous sliding and turning motion is given to the shaft E by suitable devices actuated from a cam-shaft J, driven from the main shaft K, which is also connected with the sand-band C to impart a traveling motion thereto. 4

The'main shaft K is provided with a pulley K, connected by belt with other machinery for rotating the shaft K, and as the connection between the main shaft K, cam-shaft J, and sand-band C is the same as theone shown and described in the Letters Patent above referred to it is not deemed necessary to describe such connection in detail, it being understood, however, that when the shaft K is rotated a reduced rotary motion is given to the shaft J, while the sand-band O is caused to travel at a high rate of speed.

The shafts J and K are journaled in suitable bearings on the bed I, and on the righthand end of the shaft J is secured a bevel gear wheel N in mesh with a bevel gearwheel N, secured on a hollow shaft N journaled in suitable bearings 1 carried on the bed I, the said hollow shaft N extending radially from the shaft E, previously referred to. On the shaft N is secured a bevel gearwheel N in mesh with an intermediate bevel gear-wheel N mounted to turn on a stud attached to the bearing 1 and the said intermediate gear -wheel N is in mesh with a larger bevel gear-wheel N having a hollow shaft N likewise mounted to rotate in the bearing I and also extending radially relative to the shaft E.

The shafts N aud N are formed with keys for engaging the keyway in a shaft N connected by a universal joint N with a head N adjustably secured on a shaft N provided with a bevel gear-wheel N in mesh with a similar gear-wheel N secured on the lower end of the shaft E. The shaft N is journaled in a bearing 1, having a hub 1 mounted loosely on the shaft E, so as to allow of swinging the shaft N and with it the shaft N to engage the latter with either the shaft N or the shaft N. Whenthe shaft N is in engagement with the shaft Nflas shown in the drawings, then the rotary motion of the shaft J is transmitted to the shaft E by the bevel gear-wheels N and N, rotating the shaft N, which by the gear-wheel N and intermediate gear-wheel N rotates the gear-wheel N and shaft N at a lower rate of speed than the shaft J, and the rotary motion of the shaft N is transmitted by the shaft N uni versal joint N shaft N and gear-wheels N and N to the shaft E, which by the friction gear-wheels E and E rotates the shaft E. The gear-wheels N N and N are so proportioned that when the shaft N engages the shaft N then the shaft N and with it the shaft E, is rotated at one-half the speed of the shaft J. a This motion is required when finishing ordinary wagon-spokes, as hereinafter more fully described. When it is desired to rotate the shaft E at a higher rate of speedthatis, when a Sarven spoke is to be finished then the operator disconnects the shaft N from the shaft N and engages the said shaft N with the shaft N so that the shaft N is rotated from the cam-shaft J by the gearwheels N and N and shaft N at the same speed as the shaft J.

On the cam-shaft J is secured a cam-wheel 0, having its cam-groove engaged by a friction-roller O, journaled on one end of a lever 0 fulcrumed at or near its middle at O on a bracket 1, attached to the bed I, and the other end of the said lever O is pivotally connected by a link 0 with a collar 0 adjustably held on a rod 0 mounted to slide longitudinally in suitable bearings 1 attached to the bed I. The right-hand end of the rod O carries a shifting fork O engaging a shifting collar 0 held on the right-hand end of shaft E,so that when the shaftJ is rotated, and with it the cam-wheel 0, then a sliding motion is given to the said shaft E from the said cam-wheel by the connection just described. Thus when the shaft J is rotated a simultaneous rotary and sliding motion is given to the shaft E, and the speed of the shaft E is varied according to the type of spoke to be treated at the time, while the sliding motion given to the shaft E remains the same in both cases.

The detail construction of the spoke-holder A is preferably the same as the one shown and described in the Letters Patent above referred tothat is, the tenon-sockets A are secured on shafts A journaled in a head A attached to a sleeve A through which extends loosely the spoke-holder shaft E, and on the said sleeve is secured a head A in which are mounted to rotate spring-pressed spindles A carrying the butt-sockets A The shafts A are positively driven from the shaft E by gear-wheels P and P, and the spoke-holder A is rotated when unlocked by a friction-gear from the cam-shaft J, and for this purpose the head A is provided with a pulley A over which passes a crossed belt Q, also passing over tightening-pulleys Q and Q and a driving-pulley Q secured on the left-hand end of the cam-shaft J. The tightening-pulleys Q and Q are journaled on an arm Q fulcrumed on a stud Q attached to the bed I, and on the said stud is secured an arm Q connected by a spring Q with the arm Q so as to move the pulleys Q and Q in firm contact with the runs of the belt Q. Now it is evident that when the spoke-holder A is unlocked, as hereinafter more fully described, then the friction-gearing described rotates the spoke-holder; but when thelatteris locked against rotation then the belt Q slips over the pulley A In order to temporarily lock the spoke-holder against rotation by the f riction-gearing above described and to periodically unlock the said spoke-holder automatically, the following device is provided: A catch S (see Figs. 1 and 5) is adapted to engage one of a series of I journaled in suitable bearings carried by the The right-hand end of the: shaft S is provided with a gear-wheel 'I, in

"swing-plate H.

notches A in the peripheral face of 'a disk A forming part of the head A, and the said catch S is pivoted at S on a bearing I-I E adjustable longitudinally on a guidewa 4 secured on the plate H, and the forward-end of the said catch S is provided with a down-: wardly-extending arm S having a cam S adapted to be engaged by a lug S held on a wheel S secured to a shaft 8, extendinglongitudinally at the front of the machine and mesh with an intermediate gear-wheel T, in

mesh with a gear-wheel T mounted to rotate with the shaft E and allowing the shaft to slide through it, so that when the shaft is rotated the gear-wheel T rotates with it and drives the intermediate gear-wheel T, which in turn rotates the gear-wheel T and shaft S forthe lug S to periodically engage the cam S to impart a swinging motion to the catch S to disengage the latte-r from the corresponding notch A. When this takes place, the spoke-holder is unlocked, and the belt Q now rotates the pulley A thus rotating the spokeholder to move the finished spoke away from the sand-band O and to bring an unfinished.

spoke to the sand-band, it being understood that While this operation takes place the lug S leaves the cam S to allow the catch S to engage the next notch A to again lock the spoke-holder against rotation. A. spring S is connected with the catch S to hold the same in engagement with the notches A1 and the said catch S is also provided with a hand-1e? ver S under the control of the operator to,"

permit the attendant to release the spokeholder whenever it is desired to do so.

The catch S is of sufficient widthto remain at all times in engagement with the notches A of the disk A during thelongitudinal movement of the spoke-holder A; but the, wheel S and the bearing H arelongitudi nally adjusted on the shaft S and guideway H toallowadjustmentwhen settingthe spokeholder for spokes of different lengths.

The other detail constructions of the machine are approximately the same as those shown and described in the Letters Patent above referred to, so that further description thereof is not deemed necessary.

The operation is as follows: When the main shaft K is rotated, the spokes in the spokeholder are rotated and move bodily transversely and longitudinally, owing to the action of the pattern F and the sliding motion given to the shaft E and the spoke-holder A thereof. Now when ordinary wagon-spokes (see Figs. 7 and 9) are under treatment in the machine then the shaft N is in: engagement with the shaft N of the gear-wheel N so that the spokes are rotated twice and two-full longitudinal movements are given to thespokeholder and spokes to cause the sand-band O in contact with the rearmost spoke to abrade the throat thereof with the exception of the two faces, and at the end of the two revolutions of the shaft E the gear-Wheels T T, and T have given a single revolution to the shaft S for the latter to cause the lug S to act on the catch S to temporarily unlock the spoke-holder and allow the belt Q to turn the spoke-holder once around. When Sarven spokes (see Figs. 6 and8) are under treatment in the machine, then the spokes make two revolutions; but only one full longitudi- "nalmovement is given to the spoke-holder and the spokes to cause the sand-band O in contact with the rearmost spoke to abrade the throat thereof with t the exception of the single face, it being understood that during the time the face of the spoke approaches the sand-band O the spoke moves lengthwise for thesand-band to gradually leave the face.

It is expressly understood that by the variable gear described and consisting of the shafts N and N, gear-wheels N N, and N and shaft N a different speed can beigiven to thelshaft E, while the sliding motion thereity of spokes, means for finishing thethroat ofoneofthe spokes, and means for automatically and periodically turning the spokeholder, toibring the next unfinished spoke'to the said finishing means, as set forth.

2. A spoke-finishing machine havinga revoluble spoke-holder for removably holding a plurality of spokes, a sand-band for engaging one of thejspokes and finishing the throat thereof, and means for bodily sliding and swinging and automatically and periodically locking, unlocking and turning the spoke holder, to rotate the spokes in the holder, as set forth. V i

3. A spoke finishing machine having a spoke holder for removably holding a plurality of spokes, means for finishing the throat of one of the spokes, a locking device for holding the spoke-holder against turning while finishing the throat of the spoke, means for automatically unlocking the spoke-holder periodically, and means forautomatically turning the spoke-holder after being unlocked and after a spoke is finished, to bring the next unfinished spoke in contact with the said finishing means and to allow removal of the finished spoke, as set forth.

4. spoke finishing machine having a spoke holder for removably holding a plurality of spokes,1neans for finishing the throat of one of the spokes, a friction driving device for the said spoke-holder, to rotate the latter, a locking device for holding the spoke-holder against. rotation by the said friction device, and means for automatically unlocking the said locking device periodically, to allow the friction device to rotate the spoke-holder, to

bring the next unfinished spoke in operative connection with the said finishing means, as set forth.

5. A spoke finishing machine having a spoke-holder provided with revoluble spokesockets for holding and revolving the spokes, means for finishing the throat of one of the spokes, means for imparting a longitudinal movement to the said spoke-holder, and a variable gear for rotating the spoke-sockets, to vary the rotation of the spokes relative to the longitudinal movement given to the spokeholder and the spokes carried bodily thereby, as set forth.

' 6. A spoke finishing machine having a spoke-holder provided with revoluble spokesockets for holding and revolving the spokes,

means for finishing the throat of one of the spokes, means for imparting a longitudinal movement to the said spoke-holder, and a variable gear for rotating the spoke-sockets, to vary the rotation of the spokes relative to the longitudinal movement given to the spokeholder and the spokes carried bodily thereby, and said variable gear having positively driven gear-Wheelsrotating at difierentspeeds and ashaft for connection with the said gearwheels, driven at a different rate of speed, as set forth.

7. A spoke finishing machine having a spoke-holder, means for imparting a longitudinal movement to the spoke-holder, and a variable gear for rotating the spokes in the holder at a varying speed while the longitudinal movement of the spoke-holder and spokes remains the same, as set forth.

8. A spoke finishing machine having a spoke-holder for carrying the spokes, rotated by a belt, means for locking the spoke-holder against rotation by the said belt, and means for automatically unlocking the spoke-holder periodically, as set forth.

9. A spoke finishing machine having a spoke-holder for carrying the spokes, rotated by a belt, means for locking the spoke-holder against rotation by the said belt, means for automatically unlocking the spoke-holder periodically, and a spring-controlled tightening device for the said belt, as set forth.

10. A spoke finishing machine having a spoke-holder for carrying the spokes, rotated by a belt, means for locking the spoke-holder against rotation by the said belt,meansfor automatically unlocking the spoke-holder periodically, and a driven shaft for actuating the said belt and the said unlocking means, as set forth.

11. A spoke-finishing machine having a revoluble spoke-holder for carrying the spokes and provided with a pulley, a belt for the said pulley to rotate the spoke-holder, means for imparting a longitudinal movement to the said spoke-holder, a variable driving device for rotating the spokes in the said holder, a locking and releasing device for the said spoke-holder, controlled by the said driving device, and a driven shaft for driving the said belt and the said variable driving device, as set forth.

12. A spoke-finishing machine having an abrading device, a spoke-holder for carrying the spokes in operative connection with the abrading device, means for imparting a longitudinal'fmovement to the said spoke-holder, an automatic locking and releasing device for the said spoke-holder, a driving device for rotating the spokes in the said spokeholder and for controlling the said locking and releasing device, and a driven shaft for actuating the said means and the said driving device in unison, as set forth.

13. A spoke-finishing machine having an abrading device, a spoke-holder for carrying the spokes in operative connection with the abrading device, means for imparting a longitudinal movement to the said spoke-holder, alocking and releasing device for the said spoke-holder, a driving device for rotating the spokes of the said spoke-holder and for controlling the said locking and releasing device, and a driven shaft for actuating the said means and the said driving device in unison, the driving device having a variable gear, to allow of varying its speed independent of the said shaft, as set forth.

14. A spoke-finishing machine having a revoluble spoke-holder provided with revoluble sockets for holding the spokes, a spoke-holder shaft geared with the said sockets, a train of driven gear-wheels, a shaft for turningconnection with the gear-Wheels in the said train, rotating at a different speed, and a connection between the said spoke-holder shaft and the saidsecond-named shaft, adapted to be driven from the said train of gear-wheels, as set forth.

15. A spoke-finishing machine having a driven train of gear-wheels, sundry of which have hollow shafts, and a shaft mounted to turn and to swing and adapted to engage either of the said hollow shafts, to turn with the same, as set forth.

16. A spoke-finishing machine having a revoluble spoke-holder provided with a notched disk, a pulley and belt for driving the said spoke-holder, a spring-pressed catch for engaging the said notched disk, to lock the spoke-holder against rotation,and a revoluble wheel having a projection for engaging the said catch, to release the said spoke-holder and allow the belt to rotate the spoke-holder, as set forth.

. 17. Aspoke-finishing machine havingarevoluble spoke-holder provided with a notched disk, a pulley and belt for driving the said spoke-holder, a spring-pressed catch for engaging the said notched disk,to lock the spokeholder against rotation, a revoluble wheel IIO the said revolnble wheel from the spokeholder shaft, as set forth. l

18. Aspoke-finishing machine havingarevoluble spoke-holder provided with a notched disk, a pulley and belt for driving the said spoke-holder, a spring-pressed catch for engaging the said notched disk,to lock the spokeholder against rotation, a revoluble Wheel having a projection for engaging the said catch, to release the said spoke-holder and allow the belt to rotate the spoke-holder, a spoke-holder shaft for rotating the spokes in the spoke-holder, a gearing for rotating the said revoluble Wheel from the spoke-holder shaft at one-half the latters speed, means for imparting a longitudinal movement to the said spoke-holder shaft at a uniform rate of speed, and a variable gear for rotating the spokeh'older shaft at a variable speed relative to the said longitudinal movement, as set forth.

19. Aspoke-finishingmachine havingarevoluble spoke-holder, means for operating said holder, a spring-pressed catch for engaging the holder to hold it stationary, a tripping device for disengaging the catch from the holder, and means for periodically operating the tripping device from the spoke-holder shaft, as set forth.

20. Aspoke-finishing machine havingarevoluble spoke-holder provided With a notched member, means for revolving said holder, a pivoted and spring-pressed catch for engaging the notched member of the holder, a revoluble shaft carrying a projection for engaging one end of the catch to disengage it from the said notched member, and means for operatin g said shaft from the spoke-holder shaft, as set forth. l

21. A spoke-finishing machine havinga revoluble spoke-holder, a driven shaft, a train of gearing geared with the driven shaft, a shaft having a universal joint andadapted to be connected with the first or last wheel of the train of gearing,and gearing between said shaft and the spoke holder shaft, as set forth.

22. A spoke-finishing machine havingarevoluble spoke-holder, a driven shaft, a hollow shaft geared with the driven shaft, a second hollow shaft, gear-wheels connecting the hol- 10w shafts, a shaft having a universal joint and adapted to engage either of said hollow shafts, and gearing between the said shaft and the spoke-holder shaft, as set forth.

23. A spokefinishing machine having a sliding and revolu'ole spoke-holder, a driven shaft, means for sliding the spoke-holder from said driven shaft, a hollow shaft geared at one end with the driven shaft and provided with a gear-wheel at its other end, a second hollowshaft provided with a gear-wheel, an intermediate gear-wheel between the gearwheels of the hollow shaft-s, a shaft having a universal joint andadapted to engage either of the said hollow shafts, and gearing between iaidhshaft'andthe spoke-holder shaft, as set Ort i In testimony whereof I haVe signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

GEORGE A. ENSIGN.

\Vitnesses:

GEORGE W. DEATRIOK, J os. BAUER. i 

